There'll be a new voice over the airwaves for Detroit Lions broadcasts this season.

WJR-AM general manager Tom O'Brien told the Free Press on Tuesday that Jim Brandstatter, who grew up in East Lansing, will be replaced as the color commentator by former Lions Pro-Bowl offensive lineman Lomas Brown.

O'Brien said that while "Jim was excellent," the station wanted to go in a different direction in its third year as the team's flagship.

Brown, who played 18 seasons in the NFL, including his first 11 with the Lions, should "offer a unique perspective," according to O'Brien.

Brandstatter, the long-time radio color commentator for the team, posted a message on Twitter on Tuesday morning, saying he has been let go.

"A quick heads up guys. This morning, WJR let me know they were going a different direction and terminated me from their Lions broadcasts. I had a great run of 31 years. I can’t thank Lion fans enough for spending time with me on all those Sundays. #ILoveDetroit #OnePride," Brandstatter wrote.

A quick heads up guys. This morning, WJR let me know they were going a different direction and terminated me from their Lions broadcasts. I had a great run of 31 years. I can’t thank Lion fans enough for spending time with me on all those Sundays. #ILoveDetroit#OnePride

Brown, 55, has television experience as a former ESPN contributor and an analyst on Lions preseason telecasts. He remains a presence in the metro Detroit area though his last game played as a Lion was in the 1995 season.

The former Michigan offensive lineman under Bo Schembechler is also the radio play-by-play voice of the Wolverines and has pulled double duty on football weekends for decades.

Brandstatter, 68, has been working in media in the state since 1975. He joined the staff at WDIV-TV in 1980, when he began hosting "Michigan Replay," the football recap show.

Jim Brandstatter, a radio broadcaster for the Lions and Michigan football, answered questions at the ninth annual Big Game Tablegate media luncheon at the Skyline Club in Southfield on Wednesday, Oct. 26.(Photo11: Chris Nelsen, Special to the DFP)

His association with WJR dates back to the 1980s when he was the color analyst for U-M football along with Frank Beckman. The duo also worked Lions games until 1989, when WWJ-AM (950) became the Lions' flagship station and Mark Champion was hired to join Brandstatter.

In 2005, Dan Miller replaced Champion, and the duo has worked together ever since.

O'Brien said there are no other changes to the radio broadcast crew.

Brandstatter is a two-time Michigan Sportscaster of the Year (2004, 2008).

Brandstatter's father, Art, was an All-American fullback at Michigan State. His wife is former WXYZ-TV anchor Robbie Timmons.